GBA Update - Summer 2020

14 ≥ www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Summer 2020 ED’S ADVOCACY REPORT By Rupert Kindersley, Executive Director So far, this year has been drier than normal, but precipitation levels up to the end of June are going to determine what happens with our water levels this summer. It is likely that the more dire predictions on the peak 2020 water level will not happen now, but it could still exceed the highs in July 2019 and October 1986. In the last UPDATE I provided some background details on the factors that affect our water levels, what we might expect this summer and beyond, and actions you can take. The big question currently is whether the natural cycle of highs and lows that have been accurately recorded for well over 150 years will continue to provide a reasonable level of predictability going forward, or whether climate change impacts have interfered, and will continue to interfere, with this historic cycle. At GBA we receive many opinions and well-reasoned predictions on both sides of this debate, and we will do our best to deliver well-thought-out and balanced answers to this debate. One thing is abundantly clear – we do not have sufficient data on the dynamics of the Great Lakes system to fully understand what is going on. We can measure the two most significant factors quite well – precipitation and evaporation – but not the numerous inflows and outflows for each lake and the conveyance capacity at certain key points, such as the St. Clair River. Technological advances have made it easier and cheaper to measure these factors, but governments on both sides of the border have not yet committed sufficient resources to get this done. GBA intends to persuade our partners of the importance of collecting the missing data to better understand the system and evaluate which options, if any, might be able to mitigate any extreme highs and lows. D espite the COVID crisis, it has been business as usual for GBA’s ongoing advocacy work, and there is much to report as a result. High water levels last year impacted many low-lying septic systems around the Bay. If the water levels this year are higher still, more of you will be affected, and water quality near your cottage could be severely impacted. A technical challenge for Georgian Bay residents and municipalities is that the Ontario building code is not well suited to provide septic systems on the Canadian shield. The overwhelming focus on septic beds for an area with very little natural soil in most locations is unhelpful. The very limited number of permitted options for the type of system you can use adds to the challenge. Under certain circumstances, municipalities do have a limited ability to allow wastewater collection tanks to replace a compromised septic system. However, those need to be pumped out regularly, so there would need to be sufficient municipal sewage processing capacity to cater for any significant adoption of that method. Changing to a composting toilet or a grey water pit is another option that is permitted under the building code. High-tech systems offer a high-quality arrangement that some people may find acceptable. Then there is the option to move your septic bed to higher ground, but that is likely to be very expensive and may not be possible in some locations. Whatever your individual circumstances are, because extreme storms can also saturate your bed, it is becoming increasingly important to properly inspect, maintain and manage your septic system to ensure it is not compromising the water where you swim and draw your water supply. See: https://georgianbay.ca/water/ water-quality/septic-management-and-inspections/ for extensive information on septic inspection, maintenance and management. GBA has been addressing this issue for many years. Currently we are working with Georgian Bay coastal municipalities to discuss how their septic inspection programs could be improved, if necessary, and to explore opportunities for jointly advocating for measures that would improve the protection of our water quality, such as more flexibility under the building code. Water Levels Your Septic Systems

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